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How to Survive a Hostel – Etiquette for Your Backpacking Trip

If you're planning a long stay backpacking trip, money can be an important factor when deciding where to go and booking accommodation. Hostels are a great alternative to hotels - often still in the great central location you want but at a fraction of the price!

However, the main difference of a hostel is that you share your room with other guests, much like a dormitory. Other aspects that are likely to be shared are the bathroom, kitchen and living spaces.

Take a look at our top hostel etiquette tips!

Respect others - Loud music, sex, drinking or staying up until the crack of dawn every night are not things that others will appreciate. Remember to consider your roommates.

Only eat what's yours - The communal kitchen is shared, which means that everyone keeps their food together. If something is labeled as "œJane" and you're called "œMark", don't take, use or eat it. Other people's food may look tasty but it's essentially stealing - rude and certainly not nice.

Be aware of your personal space - In your shared room, your personal space consists of your bed and the small area around it. Avoid leaving things around across the room or even in the communal areas. It is a good idea to keep your things in one place for the duration of your stay. Living out of your bag will enable you to easily keep track of where things are, but also prevents others feeling frustrated with tripping over your shoes for the hundredth time in two days!

Wash up - This is standard practice wherever you are in the world - no one likes to walk in to the kitchen to find dirty plates that are now growing their own life forms. Don the washing up gloves and get scrubbing!

Be quick in the morning - You may wish to have a nice hot shower in the morning for 45 minutes, however this proves as an inconvenience to others. Have a short shower in the morning and leave the unit clean and tidy for the next person.

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Have we missed anything? What are your top tips for surviving a hostel while abroad? Let us know in the comments!

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